novelraw Chapter 499 - 498: Master, He Had No Choice (Second Update)
Chapter 499 - 498: Master, He Had No Choice (Second Update)
However, his good intentions made Le Tong feel very uncomfortable.Still, despite feeling uneasy, she couldn’t think of any reason to intervene in Mr. Ji’s actions.
The Luo Family and the Ji Family must have business dealings, and privately, their relationship is probably quite good.
Therefore, it’s quite normal for Mr. Ji to give a grand gift for the sake of both families.
It’s just that dragging her into the conversation makes it easy for people to misunderstand, as if Le Tong was getting a great advantage from the situation.
Mr. Ji probably didn’t think of this aspect.
But Ji Rui noticed Le Tong’s smile was a bit stiff, vaguely realizing the old man had spoken incorrectly.
"Dad, Le Tong has already prepared a significant gift for Yuan’er; you’re longtime friends with Grandpa Luo, it’s only right to make things nice."
Ji Rui understood that his father meant well, but given Le Tong’s delicate position, accepting such goodwill would indeed be easily misunderstood.
Mr. Ji was momentarily stunned, but quickly understood.
"Haha, you’re right. The old Luo and I have shared at least forty or fifty years of friendship, making a good gesture is certainly appropriate."
Le Tong gave Ji Rui a grateful look, and Ji Rui squeezed Le Tong’s hand under the table. Over there, Mr. Ji, in an attempt to ease the awkwardness, invited Le Tong to eat.
"Old Li said he didn’t know what you love to eat, so the chef made a bit of everything. Just try whatever you like, and next time you come, have Old Li prepare it directly."
The little guy Baobao, surprisingly didn’t get jealous and chimed in.
"Mommy, quickly try it. Although the cooks’ food isn’t as good as yours, it still tastes nice!"
Le Tong had to admit defeat to her dear son, who showed no modesty.
"Baobao knows how to please Mommy. Even if Mommy cooked something awful, Baobao would think mine is the best, right?!"
Baobao immediately sought reinforcements, "That’s not true, Daddy, you say, isn’t Mommy’s cooking the best?!"
Ji Rui smiled and nodded, "Of course!"
"See, see, Baobao wasn’t lying!"
Le Tong was almost embarrassed to the point of blushing. People often say that in parents’ eyes, their children are the best at everything.
But with her, it’s the opposite; in Baobao’s eyes, his Mommy is the best at everything!
"Yes, Baobao really isn’t lying. Look, we’ve raised our little Baobao all plump and chubby."
Mr. Ji pinched Baobao’s chubby little butt and smiled as he agreed.
Not just the grandson, even the eldest son had put on some weight recently, but after getting injured, he’d slimmed down, not because of Le Tong’s lack of care, but due to the difficult issues with Ji Family that caused him to lose weight.
"Ah Ru, are you ready with the items for next Monday’s charity auction?" Perhaps seeing Le Tong was a bit uneasy, Mr. Ji automatically switched the topic.
"Not yet, I’m planning to have Xiao Li fetch a couple of paintings from the antique shop for the auction."
At Ji Rui’s age, although he has some understanding of collecting paintings and antiques, he’s not particularly interested, hence he doesn’t have the habit of collecting them.
"No need to go through the trouble. I’ve sorted out some paintings before; later, you and Old Li can go see which ones are suitable and take a few to auction."
Mr. Ji has been collecting antiques for decades; over there in the annex, two entire floors are dedicated to displaying his treasures.
These antiques might not have been valuable decades ago, but now many of them are priceless.
Just those few jade pendants he gave Baobao, estimated at current market value, each one is worth at least close to eight figures.
Of course, Ji Rui didn’t dare tell Le Tong the value of those jade pendants; otherwise, with her personality, she’d definitely pack them up and return them to Mr. Ji.
"No need, those are all your treasures, selling them would be too much of a pity."
Due to the matters in Y Country, Ji Rui has been channeling a large amount of funds from his private account into the Ji Family recently, so the funds in his hand are indeed less than before, but not to the extent that he can’t afford a few paintings.
"Those paintings didn’t cost much when I bought them. Now I’m more interested in porcelain, and those paintings I have on hand, they’re quite a hassle to maintain. Most importantly, I don’t really love them anymore. If the price is right, selling some off would be a good thing."
Ji Rui frowned and replied "Okay," but his mind was running through a pile of matters.
After dinner, Baobao stayed with Mr. Ji in the living room watching TV, while Le Tong was pulled by Ji Rui to select some paintings together.
Ji Rui has been indifferent to Mr. Ji’s affairs since he was young. Though he knew the old man had many collections, he never proactively visited them, only passively being dragged by the old man to see them a few times. Each time, he put on an uninterested face, so after a few times, Mr. Ji never mentioned those antiques in front of him again.
"Uncle Li, is my dad really short on money?"
Walking side by side with Ji Rui, Le Tong was not the least bit concerned about any apprehensions Ji Rui might have in front of her.
The housekeeper, Uncle Li, looked at Ji Rui in astonishment, "No, not at all, the old master before..."
Uncle Li had only said a few words before realizing there were some things he perhaps shouldn’t say.
Ji Rui, however, had a knowing expression, "No worries, I know about my dad selling Ji Family’s shares to help those two brothers."
When mentioning this matter, Ji Rui had a detached look as if it was none of his business, though who could imagine that he had been so frustrated by the old man back then he almost spat blood?!
Uncle Li glanced at him apprehensively a few times, confirming that he really didn’t mind, and then said.
"Young Master, don’t blame the old master. Back then, he sold those shares because the old lady had threatened her life over it..."
Uncle Li sighed, "The old master is quite pitiful too. Not only did he lose his wife, but he also lost the men. Now he’s in a position where he’s a nobody inside and out!"
The implication being that Mr. Ji spent a lot of money, and not only did he fail to extract his two younger sons, but also became estranged from his eldest son over this matter.
Ji Rui listened in silence, and after a while, asked.
"Where is she...?"
Being a smart man, Uncle Li instantly understood Ji Rui was asking about the old lady’s whereabouts.
"After the old master was discharged, the old lady caused chaos day and night. Probably out of utter despair, he had her sent to that sanatorium in the North Suburb."
Ji Rui was somewhat surprised by this outcome.
"Really sent to the North Suburb sanatorium?"
There are several sanatoriums in the city, and the one in the North Suburb is the most expensive one, not only because of its excellent environment and meticulous care but also because it is equipped with numerous psychiatric specialists.
"Yes, it’s true! I even went there yesterday and delivered some food and clothes."
Once more, Ji Rui fell silent.
Le Tong, on his side, quietly listened to the conversation between the two, refraining from commenting too much, simply taking his hand and gently squeezing his palm.
Ji Rui tightly grasped her hand, and returned her with a reassuring smile.